The impact of parliamentary reform. Flashcards
What was the extent of aristocratic influence c1780?
Many constituencies were essentially controlled by the Crown or an aristocratic patron. The open voting system, limited franchise and lack of legislation to prevent bribery meant that there was strong pressure to support the local aristocratic patron.
What was the extent of crown influence c1780?
The Crown exercised influence in Parliament by the appoimtment of governmental ministers.
What economic reform was there in the 1780s?
By 1780, there was growing concern over the way that the King was able to influence government through patronage.
How did the power of the Crown decrease from 1780-81?
The Crown still had influence. George III appointed William Pitt the younger as PM. Pitt had a small following of MPs. The growth of Pitt’s cabinet governments combined with the weakened importance of patronage after 1780 meant that the Cabinet became less influential in politics.
How did the Reform Acts of the 1800s influence the power of the crown and the aristocracy?
- The Reform Acts extended the franchise progressively to voters in industrial reas which were less controlled by the aristocracy.
- Removing the rotten and pocket boroughs weakened the influence of patrons.
- The Crown lost control over the choice of PM.
- By 1885, the number of MPs from industrial and commercial backgrounds was more than the number from the landowning elite.
- The 1872 Act reduced the power of the local aristocratic patrons.
What was the role of political parties before 1832?
Before 1832, the Tories traditionally represented supporters of the monarch, while the Whigs were opponents with a more liberal outlook.
What was the impact of the reform acts?
The Great Reform Act, 1832 meant that parties needed to register voters so became more organised.
What did the Second Representation of the People Act, 1867 do?
- ## The increased size of the electorate required more party organisation.
